And kabl d



Sept. 11, 1923.

' A. D. KARR ET AL REFRIGERATING MACHINE.

Filed March 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY- Sept. 11, 1923.

A. D. KARR ET AL REFRIGERATING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5. 1922 Patented Sept. 11, i923.

ire STATES issues PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED D. KARE, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, AND KARL D. PERKINS, OF NEW YORK,

N. Y., ASSIG-NORS TO AUDIFFREN REFRIGERATING MACHINE CO., 033 NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY. I

REFEIGERATING MACHINE.

Application filed March 3, 1922. SerialNo. 540,802.

T0 oZZ whom/i2? may concern:

Be it known that we, ALFRED D. KARR and KARL D. PnnKIJs, both citizens of the United States, and residing, respectively, at Newark, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey, and New York, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and and useful Improvements in Refrigerating lifachines; and we do hereby declarethe following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. I

Our invention is directed to improvements in refrigerating machines, and 1s partrcnlan ly applicable to refrigerating machines of the Andiifren type, i. e.-self-contained hermetically sealed refrigerating machines in which a refrigerant is continuously circulated from the compressor end where it is compressed, cooled and liquefied, to the cold or expansion end where it expands, va-porisces, abstracts heat from the surrounding cold brine or atniosphere and is returned by suction to the (It nnp resso r.

The working pz'irts of such machines are respectively connected with the container or shell of the machine which is rotated from without, and with a weighted mass within the container, the gravity effect of which opposes the force of compression. Such machines, as customarily designed, are inherently protected against generating eX ccssive pressures because of the fact that, upon the occurence of any unusual pressure or temperature conditions tending to unduly increase the work of compression, the forces of compression overcome the gravity opposi-- tion of the weight and the weighted mass revolves with the container. thereby putting an end, to the compression. which can not be resumed until after the machine is brought to rest. il hen the weighted mass has onre been tl'irown overthe top center it quickly attains the speed of the shell, and its continued rotation under the driving force intended, in normal operation, to rotate the shell and move the working parts igainst the resistance of compression, now imposes severe stresses on the moving parts and causes undue wear.

The primary object ofthis invention is to provide means acting automatically to restrain the compressing operation within predeternnned limits and by thus unloading the machine to prevent the rotation of the weighted mass. In the preferred embodiment of the invention hereinafter described in detail, its object is effected by putting in the suction line of the compressors a valve which is automatically actuated, whenever V the weighted mass moves through an excessive angle from its normal position of rest, to reduce the volume of gas flowing-into the compression cylinders and thereby reduce the resistance to compression.

Inasmuch as machines of the type in question are completely sealed there is no way of knowing, at any particular time, what degree of inclination the weighted mass has assumed, or whether it is rotating with 'inass will begin to oscillate with a progressive pendulum action which finally culminates, unless conditions change, in the rotation of the weigl'ited mass with the shell. By observing the conditions ofoperation of given machines under Varying conditions, making use of the indicating device referred to, we have been able to determine what 's the best angle of inclination for the weighted mass, and to design the machines and the automatic. unloading device acconlingly. With this device we are also able to determine whether a machine which has been in service for a long period is functioning normally, without returning the machine to the factory and opening the hermetically scaled bells.

in the drawings; 7 Figure 1 is a section on the line 1-1 of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is an enlarged section taken sub stantiaily on the line 2 2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3is a radial section showing an I alternate construction,

3 journaled in bearings l.

member 5 is inthe'itorm of a castine'.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4.- in another phuie Figure 6-is a View similar to Figure l of an alternate construction.

The i improved machine comprises condensing and rot igerating tanks 1 and 2, in which are arranged the conden er 6 and the expansion member 7, respectively, the said members being secured to a hollow shaft The condenser 6 is a sectional spherical casing; having axial bearings 13 t ireadedly engaging the shaft and thesections having a tongueand groove connection as indicated at The weighted hovi'ng iubs journ aled on the shaft 3. and supports compressor cylinders 8. TllQ'PlSlLOIlS "9 of the cylinders are connected-by rods 11 with-straps 12 on an eccentric 10 secured -totheshaft 3, so that when the shaft s shaft 3, and discharge.

in turn cooled by the a separating'ci'ip 16 forming: a part of the castin 5.

l lere the oil and the ret'ri; ;erant separate by girz'tvil y. the oil ilowin g bar-k onto the parts to lulu-irate the same. while therefrigerant flows by way of a. pipe 17 into afloat chamber 18. This chamber has an outlet port to apipc l9 held axially oi the hollow shaft 3. and the port is con trolled by a float operated valve 90. the float being" operated by the liquid in the tank 18, when it reaches apredeterm ned level. to open the valvefito permit the re-l rip erant to tlow through the pipe 19 to the ex 'iausion "member 7.

The conipressor. constituhwl by the cvliuilcrs and pistons draws the gaseous rclrurew ant From the evoansion member l'l'iroup h 'thedIolllow shat 3. by way of a iassane 21. leading radially from the hollow sba'i't. valvechamber 52:2 isnrraiured adjacent to the passage 91. and wiunniunicatcs ith he said passage. and the valve chamber also communicates with a passage 23 which branches to inlet ports 2-ioi the respe tive cylinders. These ports are coutrrdlcd by the rocking of the cylinders. each cylinder having journal pins 25, journaled in bearinesQG in the counter-weighted casting. In the valve chamber22, we arrange valve 27. in the present instance a ball valve, which is controlled by gravity, to

ward and from its seat 28. The axis of the valvechamber 22 isinclined-with respect to the vertical, at selected angle, so that under normal working; conditions. the valve will of its own weight roll away from the seat, leaving the communication free between the compressor and the expansion 'the cylinders from'the expansion cliarnher.

It has been found by the indicating mechanism to be later described,'that under normal conditions, the counter-weighted. casting rides steadily a relatively low angle, even with comparatively high operating temperature, S'BltlOIH GXCGBCllhQ a mean of"25 from its "rest position. lVith increasing pressure, there occurs an accelerated swinging of the casting. That is.

"any'increase of load, instead of gradually raising the counter-weight, starts it to swi sing, and if the increase of load more rapid than the tendency of the counter-weigg'ht to come to rest, the amplitude of the swing will increase eontinumisly. The casting swings as a pendulum, to an equal degree above and below lhe neutral point corresponding to lhe steady running position for the load being carried and it will not swing over, to revolve with the compression member unless the casting; reaches in its swing. an angle ot 50 orKSO The valve is extremclv sensitive. and when the angle of the axis of the valve chamber passes the horizontal, the ball rolls instantly to its seat.

In practice'wehavepreferred so to proportion the w l the ball, the area of the suction intake and the sine o l'the bypass that when the ball has once scaled. it will remain seated until the mavhine is broug t to re t. l ntil'the machine is stopped and the'valve unseated. the erviunession and the refrigerating capacity ol the inncliine is reduced by an amount depemliun upon the design ofthe parts. and par ticularlv upon the dimensions of the byimss. Obviously, it is possible to so propor cylinders and, if'the abnormal conditions are not too extreme or too long continued, relief will be attained without discontinuing the compressing operation, while the abnormal conditions persist.

It will be obvious that any mechanism which will automatically reduce the suction, when the counter-weighted casting passes beyond a selected angle will answer the purpose and may if desired, use a plurality of valves, so arranged that they will seat at different angles. In Figures 3 to 5 inclusive, there is shown a construction wherein a plurality of valves is provided. In this arrangement, the port 30 from the hollow shaft communicates with two chambers 31 and 32, each carrying a ball valve 33. The axes of the chambers are arranged at different angles, so that the valves will seatsuccessively, one seating at a selected angle, while the other seats at a larger angle. The first valve to seat will reduce the suction to a certain degree, and it will be later reduced further by the seating of the second valve.

In Figure 6 there is shown a construction wherein a valve is provided for controlling the communication with each cylinder. Ports 34: and 34' lead from the passage 35 corresponding to the passage 21 of Figure 2 to the several cylinders, and each of these ports is controlled by a valve arranged within a chamber 36 and 37, respectively. The axes of these chambers are arranged at different angles, so that the valves will seat in succession, one valve closing the communication with one cylinder, and the other closing the communication with the other cylinder. In either of the constructions last described, by-passes may be provided if desired.

V hen a machine is completed and charged and scaled, since the operating parts are hidden, it is practically impossible under normal conditions to, determine the conduct of such parts during operation, and in Figure 1 we show mechanism for permitting the relative position of the parts duiing operation, to be observed. The said mechanism comprises a cored shaft 38, which is adapted to be inserted axially of the hollow shaft 3. This shaft 38 has its inner end tapered as shown at 39 and the nut 40 which seals the adjacent end of the.

suction passage has a tapered recess to receive the tapered end of the shaft 38. By inserting the shaft 38, and pressing the tapered end firmly into the recess of the nut 10, the shaft 38 will be connected to the counter-weighted casting, to move therewith. A. packing nut 4-1 encircles the shaft 38 at the outer end of the hollow shaft 3, and a pressure gauge 4-2 of usual construetion is connected with the outer end of the shaft 38. An indicator l3 extends radially from the shaft near the pressure gauge. and this indicator cooperates with a scale 44 adjacent to the indicator. The bore of the shaft 38 has lateral ports, communicating with the interior of the compression member 6, so that the pressure in such member is indicated by the gauge.

The above described mechanism is espe cially designed for shop testing of the machine, and is used in the following manner. After the machine has beencharged and sealed in the usual manner, it is operated until the brine in the tank 2 is reduced to a temperature of 14 F corresponding to the boiling point of sulfur-dioxide vapor at atmospheric pressure. Under these conditions that part of the refrigerant which is not liquefied will exist at atmospheric pressure in both the expansion and condenser members. The sealing plug in the outer end of the shaft 3 may then be removed substantially without the escape of refrigerant.

The shaft 38 is then inserted and the paclc ing 11, which has threaded engagement with the shaft 3, is screwed firmly into place, driving the tapered tip of the shaft 38 into the tapered recess of the plug 10. When the parts are tight, the machine may be operated in the usual manner, and the indicator 43 will indicate the exact position of the counter-weighted casting in the machine. Any changes in the position of the casting, through the time of operation of the machine, will be indicated by change in the position of the indicator with respect to the scale. This information is supplemented by the reading of the pressure gauge which gives the pressure within the con denser. s

The operation of the machine as a whole is as follows: Under normal conditions the compressor sucks gas from the cold end and compresses it and delivers it into the inside of the shell at the comlcuser end where it is liquefied, collected, separated from the oil, and passed back into the cold end to expand. If the resistance to compression tends to increase too rapidly or to exceed the gravity effect of the weighted mass, that mass will begin to oscillate and when it swings too high the valve will seat, reijlucing the suction passages and thereby the volume of gas drawn into the compressing cylinders thus the compressing cylinders and before it be gins to rotate with the compression chaniber. If the parts are so designed that the ball valve remains on its seat, the refrigerating effectwill be reduced by a fixed amount until the machine is brought to rest and restarted. If the parts are so designed that the ball valve is alternately seated and unseated, the compression will. be reduced by this intermittent reduction of the gas flow. and it normal conditions are restored before the weighted mass turns over, the machine will resume operation at normal capacity. lVhere a plurality of valves are used, as above suggested, it is possible to so design them that one or more will remain seated and another or others will roll off from their seats on the back swings of the weighted mass. In such cases an intermedia e effect is possible, as will be understood.

lVhile the indicating mechanism is designed primarily for shop use, it is obvious that it may be made a permanent part of the machine, furnishing thus a means of determining at any time the operation of the machine.

l/Vhat we claim is:

1. In a retrigeratin; machine, including an expansion member and a rotating compression member connected therewith. a compressor within the compression member and operated by the relative movement of the compression member with respect thereto, said compressor being free to move with the compression member under excessive pressure whereby to stop the compressing operation, and means controlled by the movement oi the compressor beyond a selected angle for reducing the volume of gaseous refrigerant admitted to the compressor. thereby to permit the parts to function without increasing the compression.

2. In a refrigerating machine, including an expansion member and a rotating con1- prcssion member connected therewith, a compressor within the compression member and operated by the relative movement of the compression member with respect thereto. said compressor being free to move with the compression member under excessive pressure whereby to stop the compressing operation, and means controlled by the movement of the compressor beyond a selected angle. tor instantly reducing to a predetermined fixed value. when said angle is reached. the rate oi transfer oi gas to the compression member.

3. In a refrigerating nmchinc, including an expansion mcmbcr and a rotating compression member connected therewith, a cou'ipressor, within the compression member and operated by the relative movement of the compression member with respect thereto, said compressor being tree to move with the compression member under excessive pressure whereby to stop the compressing operation, and means controlled by the movement of the compressor beyond a selected angle for partially closing the intake to the compressor, thereby to permit the parts to function without increasing the compression.

4. In a refrigerating machine, including an expansion member and rotating compression member connected therewith. a compressor within the compression member and operated by the relative movement of the compression member with respect thereto. said compressor being tree to move with the compression member when the pressure exceeds a selected means whereby to stop the compressing operation, and means controlled by the movement of the compressor beyond selected angle for reducing the suction between the compressor and the expansion member, said means comprising a gravity operated valve for closing the communication between said members and ar ranged to seat when the compressor moves to the selected angle, and a by-pass arranged around the valve.

5. In a refrigerating machine, including an expansion member and a rotating compression member connected therewith, a compressor within the compression member and operated by the relative movement of the compression member with respect thereto. said compressor being free to move with the compression member when the pressure exceeds a selected mean whereby to stop the compressing operation, and means controlled by the movement of the compressor beyond a selected angle for reducing the suction between the compressor and the expansion member, said means comprising a ball valve for closing the conuuunication between said members and mounted to roll toward and from its sea t on a track inclined at an angle such that when the compressor moves to the selected angle the ball will roll to its seat, a by-pass being provided around the valve.

6. A re't'rigcratiug machine comprising an expansion member and a rotary condensing member connected therewith, said rotary condensing member comprising, two members mounted, to rotate one within the other, and operated by the relative movement of the said members, the inner member constituting a comprcss and the outer member torming a compression chamber and a cover tor the inner member, said inner member being mounted to rotate with the outer member to stop compression when the pressure in the outer member becomes excessive, and means controlled by the movement of the inner member with the outer member beyond a selected angle for instantly reducing to a predetermined fixed value. when said angle is reached, the volume oi: gas llowing to the compression member.

7. A. refrigerating machine having an expansion member and a rotatable condensing member connected therewith including rotatably mounted inner and outer members operated to compress by the relative movement of the members, the outer member enclosing the inner member and forming a compression chamber, and means outside the compression chamber for indicating the position. and movement of the inner member.

8. A refrigerating machine having an expansion member and a rotatable condensing member connected therewith including rotatably mounted inner and outer members operated to compress by the relative movement or the members, the outer member enclosing the inner member and forming a compression chamber, and indicating mechanism for indicating the position and movement or" the inner member and having means for connection with said inner member.

9. A refrigerating machine having an expansion member and a rotatable condensing member connected therewith including rotatably mounted inner and outer members operated to compress by the relative movement of the members, the outer member enclosing the inner member and forming a compression chamber, indicating mechanism for indicating the position and movement of the inner member and having means for connection with said inner member, said indicating mechanism comprising a hollow shaft having an indicator, and a fixed scale with which the indicator cooperates, the bore 01 the shaft communicating with the compression chamber, and said shaft carrying a pres sure gauge for the purpose specified.

10. Refrigerating mechanism, comprising communicating expansion and compression chambers, and a refrigerant therein, the compression chamber being mounted to rotate, compressing mechanism within the same and operated by the relative movement of said mechanism and the compression chamber, said mechanism being arranged to rotate with the compression chamber under excessive pressure, and means for restricting the volume of gaseous refrigerant flowing between the expansion chamber and the compressing mechanism said means being controlled by the incipient movement of the compressing mechanism with the compression chamber, thereby to prevent the rotation of the compressing mechanism with the compression chamber.

11. Refrigerating mechanism, comprising communicating expansion and compression chambers, the compression chamber being mounted to rotate, compressing mechanism within the same and operated by the relative movement of said mechanism and the compression chamber, said mechanism being arranged to rotate with the compression chamber when the pressure exceeds a predetermined mean, and means for restricting the communication between the expansion cham her and the compressingmechanism con trolled by the incipient movement of the compressing mechanism with the compression chamber, said ,means comprising a gravity operated valve, and a track along which the valve moves to its seat, when the track is inclined beyond a selected angle.

12. In a refrigerating machine including an expansion member and a rotating compression member connected therewith, a compressor within the compression member and operated by the relative movement of the compression member with respect thereto, said compressor being free to move with the compression member when the pressure therein becomes excessive whereby to stop the compressing operation, and means controlled by the movement of the compressor beyond a selected angle for reducing in predetermined steps the volume of gas flowing between the expansion member and the coinpressor.

In testimony whereof we aifix our signs KARL D. PERKINS. AFRED D. KARE.

tures. 

